China

[Meneldil]

People who spend their time spitting can't be #1. They can crush us economically and militarily, they will still spit on the ground 60 times an hour.

They are an old and decadent nation that lives off the rest of the world and who just happen to be important because of its huge population.

[Sarmatian]

They are an old and decadent nation that lives off the rest of the world and who just happen to be important because of its huge population.

Ironically, other countries that have been behind the west were always saying how the west is "decadent". Maybe this is another sign of the change that is coming...

[Louis VI the Fat]

Maybe this is another sign of the change that is coming...

Counting down the days, aren't ye Sarmatian?

[Sarmatian]

I, for one, welcome our new Sinnic overlords :)

[Louis VI the Fat]

China overtook the Japanese economy and is now the world's second largest.

China has overtaken Japan as the world's second-biggest economy.

Japan's economy was worth $5.474 trillion (£3.414 trillion) at the end of 2010, figures from Tokyo have shown. China's economy was closer to $5.8 trillion in the same period.
Japan has been hit by a drop in exports and consumer demand, while China has enjoyed a manufacturing boom.

At its current rate of growth, analysts see China replacing the US as the world's top economy in about a decade. "It's realistic to say that within 10 years China will be roughly the same size as the US economy," said Tom Miller of GK Dragonomics, a Beijing-based economic consultancy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12427321

Ten more years to global top spot, if that.

Personally I think in most aspects China is already the world's greatest power.

[Samurai Waki]

Arguably however, #1 does not necessarily mean an improvement in the quality of life. My bet is that the average Japanese Joe is still living better (and will continue to do so) than the average Chinese Joe. Despite China being the bigger economy. Whether or not China rises to be top dog, I doubt it will greatly affect most people in the world anyways, I think the biggest noticeable difference will be an exchange of American businessmen ruthlessly exploiting the poor to Chinese ones (although no doubt there will still be plenty of American businessmen). That hardly matters to people on the bottom rung of society.

[Sarmatian]

Arguably however, #1 does not necessarily mean an improvement in the quality of life. My bet is that the average Japanese Joe is still living better (and will continue to do so) than the average Chinese Joe. Despite China being the bigger economy. Whether or not China rises to be top dog, I doubt it will greatly affect most people in the world anyways, I think the biggest noticeable difference will be an exchange of American businessmen ruthlessly exploiting the poor to Chinese ones (although no doubt there will still be plenty of American businessmen). That hardly matters to people on the bottom rung of society.

It means the improvement in the quality of life but for a long time average Japanese and American Joes will be living better than average Chinese Joe.

On the other hand, it will have an effect on the world, mostly bad on western countries...

[CBR]

Arguably however, #1 does not necessarily mean an improvement in the quality of life.

The middle class in China does appear to increase in size but there is obviously a big difference between the regions.

If we compare GDP per capita in the "administrative divisions" Then Shanghai is about 7.5 times higher than Guizhou at the bottom. (Yes I discount Macau and Hong Kong for what hopefully should be obvious reasons)

For USA it is 1.8 for Connecticut compared to Mississippi

Even within EU, where Eastern Europe is still catching up, Netherlands is "only" 2.8 times higher than Bulgaria (Discounting Luxembourg because of small size)

Comparing the same highest GDP per capita with the national (union) average then it is: Shanghai 3.1, Connecticut 1.4 and Netherlands 1.3

[Strike For The South]

Ten more years to global top spot, if that.

Personally I think in most aspects China is already the world's greatest power.

Do go on